Commerce secretary builds on Obama's speech in Norfolk

NORFOLK — — Touring a mattress factory, U.S. Commerce Secretary John Bryson built on President Barack Obama's State of the Union speech that called for keeping manufacturing jobs from moving overseas.

"We want products and we want an economy, as a whole, that's built to last," Bryson said.

He offered Paramount Sleep, a third-generation, family-owned business, as proof that small U.S. manufacturers could succeed in the global economy. Founded in 1933, the Norfolk-based company employs 70 people and sells mattresses nationwide.

Paramount plans to expand into international markets, a move that could create jobs in the factory, at trucking companies and the Port of Virginia, said Richard Diamondstein, president of commercial sales.

Prior to the speech, Bryson walked the factory floor amid a few dozen workers. He stopped near Valerie Champion, whose sewing machine gave a few staccato bursts as she stitched together sheets of fabric.

"You did it very quickly," Bryson told the 25-year employee, who responded with gratitude.

Bryson echoed many points of Obama's speech, which included a proposal to cancel tax benefits for business that move work overseas. The president also proposed lowering tax rates for companies that create manufacturing jobs in the U.S.

While likely to spark a fight in Congress, the idea could gain traction in Virginia, where manufacturing jobs declined by 1,200, or 0.5 percent, in the past year. Hampton Roads' economy has been stung by businesses, such as Smithfield Foods and International Paper, that have laid off hundreds since the recession began four years ago.

Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim said many businesses cannot resist the temptation to move work overseas, where labor is less expensive.

"China doesn't have OSHA," he said, referring to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, an agency that helps protect workers but can add to the cost of doing business.

In addition to receiving help from the federal government, Virginia and local governments must devise ways to retain their manufacturing base as well as attract new companies to the region, he said.